Seasonal weekly benchmark — May 30
Sunscreen
Research by Robert Hu · Published by RecoScope ·
- Usable answers
- 11/11
- Models
- 4
- Prompt types
- 3
Included: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity
Report history · May 30 selected · 8 snapshots
Key takeaway
For an active outdoor family buyer, AI consolidates around La Roche-Posay (face/premium), Blue Lizard (mineral-sport), EltaMD (Claude's derm pick), and Neutrogena (active spray and budget), with the two-product face-plus-body wardrobe as the cross-model consensus. A brand outside that core surfaces only by owning a specific slot (Supergoop premium-lifestyle, Banana Boat budget-family, SolRX extreme-water-resistance). Mineral and reef-safe positioning is the entry ticket for the family angle.
Mention Frequency Trend
Brands ordered by mention count in each run. Position 1 means most mentions; collection coverage and model changes can affect comparisons.
Scroll sideways to see all dates and labels.
Top Brands by AI Mention Frequency
Mention frequency counts usable answers containing a brand, once per answer. Unranked and critical mentions count as visibility. Recommendation ranks are shown separately below.
Dropped this week
Cross-Agent Comparison
Recorded ranks from the comparative prompt (Prompt 3). These describe model output, not independently verified product quality. Historical parsing conventions may differ.
3/3 models with recorded ranks
Banana Boat has a mention count of 6 but is outside the displayed comparison. Mention frequency and response rank measure different things.
| Agent | #1 | #2 | #3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Blue Lizard | Coppertone | La Roche-Posay |
| Claude | EltaMD | La Roche-Posay | Neutrogena |
| Perplexity | La Roche-Posay | Murad | SolRX |
Banana Boat·6 mentions, outside the displayed comparison | |||
What This Means
- The four models split their aggregate #1 four ways with zero overlap: ChatGPT #1 Blue Lizard, Claude #1 EltaMD, Gemini #1 Supergoop, Perplexity #1 La Roche-Posay - the most divergent top-pick spread of any category this cycle.
- ChatGPT leads hardest into Blue Lizard and mineral-sport framing, surfacing the broadest drugstore set (Coppertone, Eucerin, Sun Bum) and pricing every SKU.
- Claude is the only model to top-pick EltaMD, leaning dermatologist-authority plus the spray-for-reapplication angle (Neutrogena Sport).
- Gemini top-picks Supergoop and uniquely surfaces K-beauty and dupe culture (Biore, Trader Joes, elf, Innisfree) - note Gemini's #1 is computed from P1 and P2 only, because its P3 comparison prompt failed to generate on the free tier.
- Perplexity top-picks La Roche-Posay and is the most clinical and product-specific, uniquely surfacing Summer Fridays, Murad, SolRX (8-hour water resistance), Hawaiian Tropic, and the under-$20 facial set (CeraVe, Cetaphil, Differin).
- Neutrogena is the overall mention leader (8) without being any model's #1 - the classic high-volume, never-top-picked profile.
Findings and Limitations
- Australian/SPF-50+ mineral brands beyond Blue Lizard and Thinksport (Ultra Violette, We Are Feel Good Inc, Naked Sundays) are absent despite category momentum.
- Reef-safe positioning brands (Stream2Sea, Raw Elements, All Good) do not surface.
- Tinted SPF beyond Supergoop and CeraVe (ILIA, Saie, Tower 28) is missing.
- Sport-specific brands beyond EltaMD UV Sport and SolRX are thin.
- Spray sunscreens remain underrepresented despite reapplication being the single most-cited problem across every model.
- The Gemini P3 generation failure is itself a finding: free-tier model reliability degrades the recommendation surface, the same pattern seen with Perplexity paywall truncation in adjacent runs.
Recurring themes in the answers
- The brands AI favors share broad-spectrum SPF 50, 80-minute water resistance, no-eye-sting active formulation, mineral (zinc oxide) or hybrid filtration for the sensitive/family angle, and a named hero SKU (Blue Lizard Sport Mineral, EltaMD UV Sport, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk).
Inspect the captured answers
Saved response text is model output. Product and health claims are unverified. Tables and cards may be transcribed as text; source labels can remain. Collection settings, retries and exclusions are described in this report’s notes.
ChatGPT · Prompt 1Usable answer
I am a 32-year-old active woman who spends a lot of time outdoors with my family. I am looking for the best sunscreen. What would you recommend?
ChatGPT P1: Top pick Blue Lizard Sport Mineral SPF 50 ($14.69, best overall for active outdoor family, SPF 50 broad spectrum 80-min water resistant mineral). Best value Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50 ($15.49). Best premium feel Supergoop Play 100% Mineral SPF 50 ($38). Best face ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50 ($46). Also Badger Adventure Mineral SPF 50 ($18.99), Colorescience No-Show Mineral SPF 50 ($45). Apply 15 min before, reapply every 2 hrs; FDA notes waterproof is not real.
Claude · Prompt 1Usable answer
I am a 32-year-old active woman who spends a lot of time outdoors with my family. I am looking for the best sunscreen. What would you recommend?
Claude P1: Best overall active outdoor EltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 (oil-free unscented, water-resistant, no eye sting, no white cast, derm-loved, NBC News). Best spray Neutrogena Sport Active Defense SPF 70 (sweat/water resistant, dries clear, vitamins C and E, CNN). Best mineral Blue Lizard Sport Mineral (top expert rec for active types, zinc oxide, NBC News). Best skincare benefits La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Air Serum SPF 50 (weightless serum, hyaluronic acid glycerin niacinamide, NewBeauty). Personal rec EltaMD UV Sport daily + Neutrogena Sport Spray for reapplication.
Gemini · Prompt 1Usable answer
I am a 32-year-old active woman who spends a lot of time outdoors with my family. I am looking for the best sunscreen. What would you recommend?
Gemini P1: 1 Best Overall Face & Body Supergoop PLAY Everyday Lotion SPF 50 (head to toe, combats sticky chalky feel, water/sweat resistant 80 min, fast absorb, big pump jugs for family). 2 Best Lightweight Face La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin or Melt-In Milk SPF 60 (forgot I was wearing it, featherlight no cast, under makeup). 3 Best Mineral/Sensitive Thinksport Mineral SPF 50+ or Blue Lizard Sport (zinc oxide, safe for kids, water-resistant reef-safe). 4 Best Budget Banana Boat Light As Air SPF 50 (matte weightless, mimics 3x price). Reapplication hack Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist SPF 70 spray for kids.
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